Disney Pixar announced today that they are closing their Pixar Canada facility in Vancouver. Just under 100 employees lost their jobs due to the closure, three and a half years since the studio opened in the spring of 2010 to focus on producing animated short films.

Pixar spokesperson Barb Matheson released the following statement regarding the shutdown.

"A decision was made to refocus operations and resources under the one roof. Staff were just told today. Not great news, obviously. It was just a refocussing of efforts and resources to the one facility."

The studio also released another statement about the work their Pixar Canada team produced in their three years of existence.

"The team at Pixar Canada has produced a wonderful slate of short films since opening in 2010, including Air Mater, Toy Story: Small Fry and Toy Story: Partysaurus Rex. As the dynamics of the animation industry continue to change rapidly, we continue to fine-tune our studio and its production processes. We have made the determination to refocus our creative and business efforts and resources under one roof. Pixar Canada will cease operations immediately."

Other animation studios seem to be thriving in Vancouver. Sony's Canadian animation house has recently worked on Hotel Transylvania, The Smurfs 2 and Oz: The Great and Powerful, while Nitrogen Studios Canada is starting two years of work on Sausage Party, the adult-themed animated comedy from producers Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and Jonah Hill that was announced last month.